7 Great Boating Gifts Mom Will Love
Last Updated on September 29, 2023 by Boatsetter Team
Is your mom the type who’d rather be out boating than sitting at home and receiving a bouquet of flowers? If yes, Mother’s Day (May 14 this year) is the perfect time to give her a gift that she’ll be able to use all year long out on the water. Here’s a look at seven great boating gifts that every water-loving mom will enjoy:
- Women’s life jacket
- Recycled sail bags
- Boating books
- Fishing seminars
- Women’s sailing apparel
- Nautical jewelry
- Boat shoes
Mom would love a refreshing boat trip— Browse boats available for Mother’s Day!
1. Women’s life jacket
Is your mom really uncomfortable wearing a life jacket that constantly seems to pinch her in all the wrong places? If so, check out the women’s life jackets made by Mustang Survival.
The company’s Rebel, Destiny, and Moxie models are among those made specifically for women, using patterns and foam placement that are more comfortable for female bodies. Many of the life jackets have multiple adjustment points for different body types, and the company’s Adjust-A-Bust system prevents riding up while providing support.
2. Recycled sail bags
Re-Sails in Newport, Rhode Island (arguably the sailing capital of the United States) makes all kinds of great bags from recycled sails. They’ve got a bag type for different purposes and preferences:
- Totes
- Duffels
- Crossbody bags
- Garment bags
- Backpacks
Pssst… There’s also an option to design your own bag with stenciling and other personalized touches.
3. Boating books
Moms who love to read can escape into some of the greatest sailing stories ever told with boating books that have stood the test of time. Sailing Around the World Alone by Joshua Slocum is an all-time favorite among many sailors, as is A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols.
If your mom is looking to brush up on her seamanship skills, you can’t go wrong with the latest edition of Chapman Piloting & Seamanship. For moms who enjoy beautiful photographs and coffee-table books, there are a few by noted marine photographer Onne Van Der Wal—Wind and Water, and Sailing—whose pages are filled with mesmerizing images.
4. Fishing classes
The Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing! the organization has spent years teaching women how to fish, and how to fish better. You can sign your mom up for tournaments or seminars, including seminars about great ways to cook up whatever she catches.
Bass fishing, tuna fishing, kite fishing—all kinds of options are available, depending on what kinds of fishing your mom is interested in learning more about. You can also register your mom for fishing getaways where all the gear is provided.
5. Women’s sailing apparel
There’s nothing worse than being a woman stuck on a boat in an oversized jacket made for a man’s body. It’s hard enough staying upright when the boat is heeled over and gaining steam; try doing it in a jacket that squeezes and flutters in all the wrong places.
To avoid this problem, companies like Helly Hansen make a great selection of women-specific sailing gear, including jackets, vests, polo shirts, and pullovers. There are options for day sailing, offshore sailing, and more, depending on how much of an adventure your mom likes to have when she’s out on the boat.
6. Nautical jewelry
Guy Harvey is an artist whose name is synonymous with boating-related products. His jewelry collection is a longtime fan favorite, with necklaces, charm bracelets, earrings, and more. The designs all have maritime themes like fish, seahorses, waves, and shells.
Sets can be ordered with matching pieces, and a collection of options is available for less than $100. A portion of all proceeds is donated to The Guy Harvey Foundation, which works on scientific research and educational programs to help with ocean conservation.
7. Boat shoes
Having the right footwear for the boat, the beach, and the dock can make all the difference in terms of comfort. Sperry makes women’s versions of various styles in its Sport collection, which is specifically designed for the rigors of the marine world.
There are sneakers, striders, water shoes, deck boots, and dinghy boots in various sizes and colors, each designed to protect toes from cleats and help keep feet dry even after they get soaked. Some shoes are designed with extra support for powerboaters who want to minimize the effects of vibration at the helm.
Get mom out on the water for a Mother’s Day for a sunset cruise or make reservations at a boat-friendly restaurant for a dock and dine experience. Either way, when you spend Mother’s Day on the water, the whole family is in for a day, never to be forgotten.
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Kim Kavin has been on boats in more than 50 countries and islands, including in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. She grew up learning to steer a ski boat and Hobie Holder at her grandfather’s lake house in New Jersey, and went on to spend time aboard everything from America’s Cup racing sailboats to submarines.
Kim is a PADI-certified scuba diver and animal lover who always enjoys a good, long look around a coral reef. Her award-winning writing and editing regularly appears in national marine magazines and on leading websites. In her early years, she was a Dow Jones editing intern and a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. When she’s not writing, Kim can usually be found hiking northwest New Jersey’s beautiful park trails with her adopted shelter mutt, Ginger.
